Calgary police investigate sixth death tied to tainted ecstasy

CALGARY — Calgary police said Friday they are investigating a sixth death tied to tainted ecstasy.

The newest case came to light when the coroner’s office reviewed previous deaths and found PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine) in the system of a 43-year-old man who died in July 2011 — four months earlier than what was previously believed to be the first case in Calgary.

Police are also awaiting the toxicology results of a seventh Calgary case and one more from a man in Nanton, Alta., who died following a suspected overdose.

Police also say that all PMMA samples were powder, which can be ingested in powder, pill or capsule form.

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“We also are receiving significant information from the public that should sustain us and there are a bunch of leads we are following up on,” said drug unit Staff Sgt Mike Bossley.

Bulletins have been sent to all front line officers telling them what symptoms — like overheating — to look for in suspected cases. School resource officers are also trying to get the message out to students about the deadly effects of street narcotics.

The Calgary deaths are in addition to five similar deaths in B.C.’s Lower Mainland.

PMMA is cheaper than ecstasy (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA) and is cut into the drug for additional profit. PMMA is thought to be five times more toxic than MDMA and its effects can take longer to set in, therefore users will sometimes take more.